Camp rife with questions

</p>

link</p>

Here is Suns coach Mike D'Antoni's plan: run more, maybe score more, turn summer addition Grant Hill into an All-Star again, have more fun and have players stay glued to the bench after cheap shots.

"We've got some payback to do," D'Antoni said.

The job begins today at what could be considered Camp Chaos in Tucson. Forward Shawn Marion is not backing off last week's public trade request ("Nobody knows what went on behind closed doors except me," he said). Center Amar&eacute; Stoudemire is staying home for a knee scope today that will sideline him for three weeks</p>

Camp still figures to give Phoenix a better starting point than last year's European trip. Three topics to watch will be how Phoenix resolves last season's chemistry issues, what the rotation will look like and what impact four newcomers can have.</p>

<font size="4">A winning potion?</font></p>

At the end of last season, D'Antoni acknowledged the need to improve chemistry. Starting this one with Marion more disgruntled than ever will not be fixed quickly, but the Suns maintain it will be better this season.

Even Marion repeated that he loves his teammates. Stoudemire again squashed ideas that he squabbles with Marion. And when it came time to get on the bus, D'Antoni and Marion took a long walk-and-talk to begin the repair work.

"I lace them up every night and I'm going to continue to do that," Marion said.

The rest of the team was at D'Antoni's home Saturday for a barbecue, as the team pledges to enjoy the ride to the postseason rather than just anxiously await the playoffs.

Guard Raja Bell said last year's Suns "were not the happiest bunch."

"We've resolved most of our issues," Bell said. "I think we've all grown up and that was part of it. Between that and tweaking a couple roster spots to get some high-character guys in here, I think we've addressed the situation."

D'Antoni acknowledged not handling the frustrations of non-rotation players well last season but said it never had an adverse effect in games.

"If this is the worst it gets, it's better than 90 percent of the teams," D'Antoni said.

Steve Nash's season priorities seem to tie into the locker room vibe. He said the Suns were title caliber last year but were not mentally tough or intelligent enough to do it.

"The one thing with our team is the last few years when you look at the way we succeeded, it's playing through adversity and distractions," General Manager Steve Kerr said.</p>

<font size="4">How deep?</font></p>

D'Antoni said he will use eight or nine players in his rotation. The group might be the starters (Nash, Bell, Hill, Marion and Stoudemire), everyday subs Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw, and a combination of Marcus Banks off the ball and a two-headed big man (Brian Skinner and Sean Marks).

Kerr said the Suns improved because of the experience they had last year but also gained depth because of Hill's playmaking and a "rejuvenated" Diaw.

"We've got a couple guys who can really relieve some stress off Steve," Kerr said. "That's really what we're talking about with the depth. There's a ripple effect."</p>

No introduction is needed for Hill, who turns 35 on Friday, because of his star-studded and injury-prone past. No tempering of expectations is being made either. D'Antoni said Hill will average 15 to 20 points.

The newest Suns player is Skinner, who signed Monday after choosing Phoenix over Boston. He was Phoenix's top choice to replace Kurt Thomas after P.J. Brown, who may retire, because he can guard the post and run at Phoenix's pace.

"I'm going to multitask - play defense, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding, doing those things, run the floor, just make the game easy," Skinner said.

Unlike last year, Phoenix has rookies on its roster with draft picks Alando Tucker, a swingman, and D.J. Strawberry, a combo guard, on board with guaranteed contracts.

"What's the odds of somebody coming right out of college to one of the best teams and playing significant minutes?" D'Antoni asked. "The odds aren't great. That doesn't mean we won't watch and look. I think their futures are great."</p>

<font size="4">Who's new?</font></p>

No introduction is needed for Hill, who turns 35 on Friday, because of his star-studded and injury-prone past. No tempering of expectations is being made either. D'Antoni said Hill will average 15 to 20 points.

The newest Suns player is Skinner, who signed Monday after choosing Phoenix over Boston. He was Phoenix's top choice to replace Kurt Thomas after P.J. Brown, who may retire, because he can guard the post and run at Phoenix's pace.

"I'm going to multitask - play defense, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding, doing those things, run the floor, just make the game easy," Skinner said.

Unlike last year, Phoenix has rookies on its roster with draft picks Alando Tucker, a swingman, and D.J. Strawberry, a combo guard, on board with guaranteed contracts.

"What's the odds of somebody coming right out of college to one of the best teams and playing significant minutes?" D'Antoni asked. "The odds aren't great. That doesn't mean we won't watch and look. I think their futures are great."</p>

</p>

</p>

</p>

</p>

</p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

Didn't a short rotation catch up with Phoenix the last two seasons in the playoffs?</p>

</div></p>


No. Suspensions did. 2 yrsbefore it did.

8 or 9 is better than what it's been though.</p>

 

Felt more like 6 or 7 during the playoffs. Then the suspension crap happened. But Jumaine barely got in games. James only got in at the hope he could find his shot, or because of defense.

I think only way is if the young guys and Banks show early they can contribute something. D'Antoni will trust them more. Hopefully they do. Or he realizes, he's gonna have to extend his bench a littlemore regardless if they show something or not.

Not depending on Hill. He's just an added piece. His minutes will be monitored.</p>

 

Kurt Thomas played 18 mins during the regular season. I think Hill will play more than that, but not too much more. Or unless needed.

I think the problem with Banks is, they need to allow him to be the player he is and notgauge him on just beinganother distributor or making shots. He should've played more last yr IMO. Let him attack the basket and play D. Can't rely on shots all the time. But Diaw and now Hill can facilitate while Nash rests. Another big key, is cutting his minutes down a little bit.</p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

What are your initial thoughts on the rookies getting some minutes next season? Tucker is a gamer and fits in perfectly for small-ball. DJ Strawberry had a breakout season last year for Maryland and showed a lot of leadership during their run.</p>

I keep reading Banks is slow at learning the offense and has terrible court vision for a PG. If he's not the answer how come Phoenix didn't keep Rondo or Sergio Rodriguez? Or why haven't they picked a PG up in free agency.</p>

I can't help but think this team still believes in Banks. Maybe he finally has the lightbulb go off this year?</p>

</div></p>


I hope they'll be given some opprotunity at the start of the yr. I'm not so sure how much though.It's gonna interesting, cuz we haven't had rookies on this team last few yrs.

Like I said, Suns need to let Banks do what he's good at.I di think they regret the signing. And he was Plan C when they signed him last offseason. Orginally they were gonna resign Thomas, then he signed with the Clips. Salmons was set to sign, then he chose Raps, and changed his mind on that, and signed with the Kings.

Suns never liked Rondo. He was only picked by us because that is what Boston wanted. Same for Sergio, but with Portland.Last few yrs, they've had a list of 5-7 players, and they try to trade up, nothing goes down, and the players get drafted ahead of where they pick. So, they just move out of the spot. I disagree with it. They should just take BPA.</p>